Springfield Falcons deep on defense

SPRINGFIELD - So deep are they on defense, the Springfield Falcons did not have to make a player move Thursday after they lost Theo Peckham to recall by their parent club, the Edmonton Oilers.

"Theo has done well, helping us with physical play and popping a couple of power-play goals. He deserves the call, and we should be OK. We have enough depth back there," coach Jeff Truitt said.

Mathieu Roy, an experience backliner who missed last Sunday's 4-1 victory at Manchester because of an injury, should be game-ready when the Falcons host the Albany River Rats Friday night at the MassMutual Center.

"We talked about it at practice today - three home games in a row. That's a good time for us to play well, and build on what we showed at Manchester," Truitt said.

Roy's return speaks to the depth of Springfield's defensive unit. The Falcons also have rookie Taylor Chorney, Bryan Young, Jake Taylor, Cody Wild, Sebastien Bisaillon and Josef Hrabal. Still another defenseman, Mike Gabinet, will be idled for the weekend because of an injury incurred in Springfield's home opener Saturday.

Albany's visit brings Jeff Daniels back to the building in which he played as captain of the Falcons 12 years ago. Daniels won his AHL coaching debut last Friday, but his Rats have gone 0-2-1-0 since then.

Truitt will be looking for improved play from his special teams as the Falcons seek their first home victory. They'll also be home Saturday night, against the Lowell Devils.

"Our power play and penalty-killing needs to be better. It's a matter of players making the correct reads out there," Truitt said. "On the power play, we've had good puck movement, but players have to make key decisions - when to shoot, when to dish it off. Shooting through traffic, that's important, because it leads to deflections and rebounds. You're not going to see many goaltenders giving anything up on long shots without traffic."

The Falcons also will be looking to increase shots on goal.

"Part of that has to do with cutting down on penalties. If you spend a lot of time killing penalties, you're not creating offense," Truitt said.

ICE CHIPS: Left wing Guillaume Lefebvre plays on a checking line with Capt. Tim Sestito and Carl Corazzini. Lefebvre's back in the AHL after two seasons with St. Jean, Quebec, of the North American Hockey League. "Glad to be at this level again, and to be with a team with a lot of skill," he said . . . After this weekend, the Falcons will stay at home, with their next start scheduled for Oct. 31, against Lowell . . . Center Gilbert Brule will be a scratch again this weekend because of injury . . . Brandon Dionne is back for his second season as the Falcons' head trainer. He's a Springfield College graduate, Class of 2003. He worked part time as an assistant with the Falcons during his SC years.